UN and partners seek $47 million for victims of Philippines earthquake

Humanitarian agencies are appealing for $ 46.8 million to provide emergency help to thousands of people affected by an earthquake in the central Philippines 10 days ago.

201 people died and 344,000 were either displaced or made homeless by the earthquake, which struck below the island of Bohol.

Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, OCHA, says that large numbers of people are in desperate need:

"Looking ahead, the north-north-east monsoon will continue in the earthquake affected areas until December, further exposing people who do not have places to sleep. They urgently need temporary and transitional shelter to protect them from the elements. Another critical issue is the damage to water sources as pipelines, pumping stations and electricity supply have been damaged and this affects the availability of drinking water."

OCHA hopes that the appeal will enable humanitarian agencies to build on the immediate efforts of the government of the Philippines, and particularly help the most vulnerable, especially women and children,